We’re big fans of Apple’s dinky and affordable iPads, but now it looks as if the iPad Mini is being killed off and in 2017 we’ll see a smaller version of the iPad Pro instead. Here’s everything we know about the iPad Pro Mini, including leaked specs and when we’re expecting Apple to launch the new Pro Mini.

What is the Apple iPad Pro Mini?

Apple decided to shrink down its excellent iPad tablet back in 2012 and the result was the rather good iPad Mini. It was overpriced and the screen was seriously low-res, but it was comfortable to clutch and set the ball rolling for a slew of improved Mini tabs – culminating in the excellent iPad MIni 4 last year.

However, in 2017 the iPad Mini range might be morphing with Apple’s super-premium iPads, the iPad Pro. So far we’ve had two iPad Pro tabs, the 9.7-inch model and the rather bloody massive 12.9-inch version. Both Pros boast top-end performance, detailed displays and impressive input for creative users thanks to the rather pricey Apple Pencil.

Now it looks like we’ll get a iPad Pro Mini from Apple next year, packing the premium specs and Pencil support of the full-sized Pro tablets into a Mini size. That’s both good news and bad news. Good news, because a more portable version of the iPad Pro that can be comfortably wielded with one hand sounds great. Bad news, because it means no more wallet-friendly Mini devices.

Next year Apple is also said to be launching two new full-sized iPad Pros. Check out our iPad Pro 2017 models feature for leaked specs and rumours.

The iPad Mini 4 packs some solid specs for a dinky tablet, but it’s over a year old already so the iPad Pro Mini is likely to be a big step up in most areas.

In terms of size and weight there should be little between the two iPads, but the iPad Pro Mini is going to be much more powerful, boasting one of Apple’s latest processors such as the new A10 Fusion chipset. You’ll get full Pencil support and there should be an Apple Keyboard attachment too. Media fans should be more than appeased with the same powerful quad-speaker setup of the bigger iPad Pros, while the 7.9-inch screen will likely remain just as sharp.

The cameras will be bumped right up compared with the iPad Mini 4 too, although if you’re actually taking photos with an iPad, something has seriously gone wrong.

When is Apple launching the iPad Pro Mini?

Apple is said to be launching the iPad Pro Mini as well as a new full-sized iPad Pro early next year. We’re expecting a March 2017 launch date to be unveiled by Apple shortly before we see the new tablets, so keep checking our what is the next Apple event page to see when official word goes out.

iPad Pro Mini UK price and release date

If the iPad Pro Mini is indeed launched in March 2017, you can expect it to go on sale here in the UK very shortly afterwards. There’s no official word on UK pricing, but the mini Pro is likely to cost from at least £499 if it packs in premium specs like its bigger brothers.